Top 5 things to do in Grand Rapids: Special 4th of July edition

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – With the combination of the Amway Family Fireworks show and Celebration on the Grand into one “patriotic powerhouse” of a weekend, there are numerous ways families can celebrate their holiday weekend in downtown Grand Rapids and around West Michigan.

This edition of the Top 5 focuses on your Independence Day celebrations. If you want to add your event, feel free to put in the comments section below or send me an email with the details.

While there isn’t a parade in downtown Grand Rapids, you can still wave a flag and watch the floats and bands with these parades around West Michigan.

Ada’s parade starts at 10 a.m. from Ada Drive and Fulton; Allendale’s parade will be held on GVSU’s campus starting at 10 a.m.; Cascade will have a bike parade at 10 a.m. and the main parade at 10:30 starting at Cascade and Burton and ending at 28th and Thornhills Ave SE; East Grand Rapids parade will begin at noon and run from the corner of Lake Dr. and Hall St., head down Lake Dr. to Lakeside Dr. to Wealthy St. and end at Croswell Ave. SE.; Grandville parade starts at 11 a.m. and will begin at 44th and Wilson Ave SW and travel north on Wilson to end at Prarie Street SW; Kentwood’s parade start at 9:30 a.m. and will travel from the corner of Eastern and 52nd Street, south on Eastern and then turn east on 60th to end at the corner of 60th and Kalamazoo Ave.; Saugatuck’s parade will be held downtown starting at 2 p.m.

ACTIVITIES

Downtown will offer more than just free music and fireworks. You can stay busy with the Re/Max Family Fun Zone from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. on July 5 at Ah-Nab-Awen park. Activities include old-fashioned games, a photo booth and even a visit from Re/Max’s signature 72-foot tall hot air balloon at 5:45 p.m.

During the festivities, Amway will be collecting handprints from community members for the Power of 5 Raise Your Hand Campaign. They are being collected all over the world as part of a Guinness World Record to fight childhood malnutrition.

The public museum has Front Row for the Fireworks on Saturday as well which offers Wurlitzer Organ concerts, shows in the newly renovated Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, rides on the 1928 Spillman Carousel, and a unique museum-wide scavenger hunt for the family in addition to a great seat for the Amway Family Fireworks show. Tickets range from $5 - $15 at www.grpm.org.

If you’re not headed downtown, you can check out some of these events around the area on July 4. Allendale’s celebration includes a magic show, fire station demo, and a chance to win your weight in ice cream with their Family Carry Race – an obstacle course where one team member must carry the other. East Grand Rapids will host a party on Reeds Lake featuring a water ski show and a performance by Dare Devil Circus. Grandville is hosting a 3 on 3 basketball tournament. Holland has kid’s games, inflatables, and a live martial arts demonstration.

On the 4th, the annual Ducky Dash, where rubber duckies race down the Grand River for prizes will still be held but not downtown. High water levels have moved the event to Wedgewood Park in Grandville where the race will be held on Buck Creek at 1:30 p.m.

FOOD

For Celebration on the Grand on Friday, food from Mongolian BBQ and other vendors will be paired with beers from Labatt and Magic Hat available on tap. A Sno-Cone cart will also be available.

Saturday brings "fair food" including elephant ears, corn dogs, pizza, popcorn, lemon shakeups, and more from Majoor’s Concessions and VHF Concessions available for purchase for those not packing a cooler.

The Salvation Army will be providing meals to all the volunteers, security, city services, etc. working the event.